Ivan Ivanov
2023 IVLP Impact Award Project: Mobile School StolipinovoBulgaria
Ivan Ivanov works at the Ministry of Education and Science of Bulgaria as a project expert. He previously worked as the national coordinator of the International Network for Early Childhood Development at the Romani Early Years Network. In that role, Ivan supported early childhood specialists working with Roma children and helped improve the quality of early childhood services among the Roma community. He previously served as an intern at the Social Protection Fund at the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy and worked as a teacher at a primary school in Sofia.
2023 IVLP Impact Award Project: Mobile School Stolipinovo
The project provided an opportunity for non-formal education for children of all social levels who live in Stolipinovo, the biggest and most segregated Roma neighborhood on the Balkan peninsula. It involved four teachers from the local school who held 20 workshops and organized everyday activities with the children. Overall, 100 children and 200 parents were engaged.
More than 80% of the children who participated demonstrated motivation and desire to attend schools/kindergartens and more than 90% of the children improved their social-emotional skills and knowledge. The students also increased their cultural knowledge about the Plovdiv Basilica and the history of Plovidv town, based on the cultural visits implemented during the project.
"My child feels less isolated and more motivated to go to school since he started visiting the workshops." - Parent of child participant
2022 IVLP Impact Award Project: Positive Role Models for the Roma Community in Bulgaria
This project addressed stereotypes and discrimination among the Roma community, one of the largest ethnic groups in Bulgaria, in one of the poorest regions in Bulgaria. It introduced positive role models to the community to facilitate proactive discussions on the topics of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility. The project helped teachers who work with Roma children and parents to recognize their own attitudes, beliefs and behaviors in relation to marginalized groups. Forty students and 40 teachers engaged with three partner organizations to coordinate volunteer activities inspired by the project.
"I know what concrete steps to take to achieve the goals I have set for myself."- Project Participant
IVLP Exchange Experience
Ivan participated in the IVLP Project A Global Moment in Time - Reflections on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in 2021 and 2023, both organized by the U.S. Department of State and Meridian International Center, in partnership with Colorado Springs World Affairs Council, Global Ties Detroit, WorldBoston, WorldChicago, Cleveland Council on World Affairs, Global Ties Kalamazoo, International Citizen Diplomacy of Los Angeles, Global Minnesota, WorldOrlando, Global Ties Arizona, WorldOregon and Global Ties San Francisco.
U.S. Communities Visited in 2023
San Francisco, CA; Colorado Springs, CO; Washington DC
U.S. Communities Visited Virtually in 2021
Phoenix, AZ; Los Angeles, CA; San Francisco, CA; Colorado Springs, CO; Washington DC; Orlando, FL; Chicago, IL; Boston, MA; Detroit, MI; Kalamazoo, MI; Minneapolis, MN; Cleveland. OH; Portland, OR